Trouble logging in?If you can't remember your password or are having trouble logging in, you will have to reset your password. If you have trouble resetting your password (for example, if you lost access to the original email address), please do not start posting with a new account, as this is against the forum rules. If you create a temporary account, please contact us right away via Forum Support, and send us any information you can about your original account, such as the account name and any email address that may have been associated with it.

I haven't been given much time to write today, and it's killing me! Lol, but here's what I got in the last hour.

Spoiler for Marion preview #6:

“You heard the metal man! Get her out of here now!” Avan shouted to Zeri and Cosette.

“Right!” They said together. And they swiftly took her back to the defensive line.

Avan however, remained. He then turned back to the Golem.

“Alright, Marion’s uncle or… whoever you are. Time to get you out of here too. Come on!”

The Golems head had dropped slightly, the cockpit lights were dimmed and it wasn’t moving anymore.

“What?! Oh no…” Avan said, he then dropped his scout rifle and ran up to the Golem.

“Hey! Can you hear me?” Avan shouted over the sounds of battle going on all around them.

Still the Golem didn’t move, Avan ran a hand through his hair, “Not good… It’s not like I can carry him out of here like we did with Marion.” said Avan.

“Hey! Hello in there!!” Avan shouted as he pounded his hand against it’s metal chest, “Wake up! It’s only a short distance to our defensive line! But you have to wake up and get a move on!!”

Nothing. The Golem still wasn't moving.

“Oh no you don’t!” Avan shouted, he then wound up and actually kicked the Golem’s head, “Hey! Get up! You made a promise to Marion! She’s my friend and I won’t allow you to hurt her by breaking it! So get your big metal ass up! Now!

No man, not even a man made out of metal should take back their word once it’s been given to a lady! You hear me!”

The lights in the cockpit lit up once again and the Golem raised its head, then said in its slow mechanical voice, “It is done…”

“What’s done?!” Avan asked.

A small compartment door in the Golems chest slide open and a large cassette popped out. The Golem moved closer to Avan, “Take… it…” The Golem instructed.

Avan didn’t move, he looked up at the Golem in confusion and asked, “What is it?”

“My… farewell to my goddaughter… Marion…”

“What?!” Avan exclaimed, he then briskly shook his head, “No! You promised her that you’d make it back! I don’t care if you have to drag yourself the whole way, or if I have to chain you to a tank, but you’re coming back one way or another!”

The Golem growled, Avan dove to the ground, rolled and picked up his rifle and aimed it up at the Golem from his crouched position, “I may be smaller than you, but I’ll still take you on! Bring it!”

Then, the Golem chuckled, “You’re a brave one. Foolish and completely reckless… but brave. I know she’ll be safe with you and your friends.”

“But you said--”

“There are things about me that you’ll never be able to understand. And I do not have the time to explain it to you. It is however, recorded on this tape. Take it… give it to Marion so that she may know the truth and understand why I’ve chosen to stay behind and… ultimately break my promise to her.”

Another beam shot overhead and took out a artillery gun behind Avan, sending off a large explosion that snapped them back to reality.

“Once you have the tape… Run.”

“Run?” Avan asked.

“I will hold off the V2s for as long as I can… then I’ll overload this horrible weapon of war and self-destruct, taking as many of those V2s with me as I can.

I do not know how large the explosion will be, but I know that from where your units are currently placed… that it is not far enough to be safely out of its blast radius.”

The Golem then lowered itself back down to Avan and held out the Golden cross pendant to him.

“Take the cassette… and the Pendant. Give them both to my Marion.” The Golem said, and Avan quickly reached up, took the cassette out of its chest and then grabbed Marion’s golden cross pendant out of its hand and stepped back.

The Golem then began to stand up, its hands retracting back into its arms as huge barrels came out of hidden compartments, it turned towards the approaching V2s, but looked back at Avan and shouted, “Now go!”

Avan turned and ran back towards Class G and the other cadets. He looked over his shoulder as he ran and saw the Golem firing its destructive blue beams at the V2s, then a blaze of machine gun fire from its arms as its body twisted and its legs stomped towards them.

Avan then dove into the nearby ditch and joined the others.

Cosette was carefully cradling Marion in her arms, Zeri was giving orders to the other classes over the radio. But they both stopped and turned to Avan.

“Avan! What happened to the--”

“No time to explain! All classes pull back!! NOW!” Avan shouted.

Cosette let out a baffled gasped, “Pull back? But what about--”

“He’s not coming! He’s waiting for us to get to a safe distance, so let’s get moving!!”

“Safe distance? From what?!” Zeri asked in bewilderment.

“The blast radius once he self-destructs!” Avan shouted, “Grab Marion and let’s get out of here!”

Zeri nodded and got back on the radio, “This is an emergency retreat! All classes pull back! Code ‘R’! I repeat, Code ‘R’!!

Code ‘R’ was the order given to force an immediate retreat. Leaving even the artillery guns or any other heavy equipment that could not be carried out. Only the most essential items were brought along. That included wounded personnel.

All the classes then turned 180 degrees or climb out of the ditches and began to run as fast as they could. Luckily, all the transport trucks and jeeps used to bring in the supplies and artillery were already turned and facing towards Lanseal academy.

Avan opened the tailgate of a nearby transport truck and began to wave everyone in while shouting, “Go! Go! GO!!” as they passed him and piled into the back. Once it was fully loaded, he shut the tailgate and ran to join Cosette, Zeri and Marion who were already piled into a small jeep and were waiting for him.

“Come on, Avan!” Zeri shouted from the drivers seat.

“Get in! Quickly!” Cosette begged from the back as she carefully held Marions head in her lap.

As the other trucks and jeeps were pulling away, Avan jumped onto the jeeps hood, leapt over the windshield and plopped down into the passengers seat of the open air jeep.

“Step on it, Zeri!” Avan ordered.

The Jeep then burned out and rocketed down the road, along with the other vehicles some ways ahead. All were headed back to Lanseal Academy.

Meanwhile, the V4 or Golem was getting hammered relentlessly by the V2s. Even for a machine of war as powerful as the Golem, it was no match against this many V2s. There were numerous scorch marks all over its body from direct beam blasts. One of its beam cannons was destroyed and shooting out sparks. One of its badly damaged legs had become immobile and every time it took steps it had to be dragged across the ground.

A powerful blast to the chest from Dirk had finally caused the Golem to fall backwards and smash into the ground. Still, the V2s didn’t stop firing on the downed Golem, staying true to their order to completely destroy it.

“This is it… I only hope they made it far enough…” The Golem said, “Goodbye… Marion… and you… Avan…”

As the V2s moved in closer, Dirk stopped as he heard something begin to charge up, like their beam weapons, but only much louder. Immediately he realized that it was the Golem itself that was making the sound.

“Retreat! All units, retreat!” Dirk ordered.

Too late, as blinding beams of blue light began to shoot out of the Golems cockpit, its gun barrels and every battle scar and orifice. The sound of tremendous energy continuing to charge up was deafening at this point and Dirk only had enough time to raise his shield up and dig his feet into the ground. The Golem then in a brillant flash of blue and white light. Immediately after, a huge wall of blue flame spread out and engulfed everything around it in an enormous 360 pattern.

The nearby trees and grass were burnt to a crisp and blew apart like dry leaves as the blast wave hit it. The V2s were blown back, emitting grunts and groans as they flew through the air. True to his word, the enormous blast from the Golem also consumed the Lanseal cadets artillery guns and tanks that were placed well away from where the Golem fell.

Meanwhile, Avan, Zeri, Cosette and all the other classes looked back after a white flash nearly blinded them. That was when they witnessed the huge explosion and the sheer destructive power it unleashed.

Zeri slammed on the brakes and cranked the wheel to the left, then came to a sliding stop as he, Avan and Cosette looked back at the enormous explosion and the plume of white smoke it sent high into the air with other white rings of smoke all along its mushroom shaped cloud.

“That blast… its remarkably similar to what was described by war hero ’Welkin Gunther’ when the citadel of Ghirlandaio was destroyed by the Empires Valkyria. It was called… The Final flame of the Valkyrur.””

“The Final flame?” Cosette asked. But Marion released a moan and moved her head from side to side in Cosette’s lap.

“No time to explain! Step on it, Zeri! We’ve got to get Marion back to the infirmary at Lanseal!!” Avan urged.

“Right!” Zeri said and he slammed his foot against the accelerator and weaved in and out of the transport trucks up ahead, easily overtaking them in the smaller, more agile jeep.

Avan looked down at the cassette in his one hand and Marion’s golden cross pendant in the other. He hung his head sadly, then twisted in his seat and looked back at Marion. He brought his hand down to her head and softly ran it along her hair.

I haven't been given much time to write today, and it's killing me! Lol, but here's what I got in the last hour.

Spoiler for Marion preview #6:

“You heard the metal man! Get her out of here now!” Avan shouted to Zeri and Cosette.

“Right!” They said together. And they swiftly took her back to the defensive line.

Avan however, remained. He then turned back to the Golem.

“Alright, Marion’s uncle or… whoever you are. Time to get you out of here too. Come on!”

The Golems head had dropped slightly, the cockpit lights were dimmed and it wasn’t moving anymore.

“What?! Oh no…” Avan said, he then dropped his scout rifle and ran up to the Golem.

“Hey! Can you hear me?” Avan shouted over the sounds of battle going on all around them.

Still the Golem didn’t move, Avan ran a hand through his hair, “Not good… It’s not like I can carry him out of here like we did with Marion.” said Avan.

“Hey! Hello in there!!” Avan shouted as he pounded his hand against it’s metal chest, “Wake up! It’s only a short distance to our defensive line! But you have to wake up and get a move on!!”

Nothing. The Golem still wasn't moving.

“Oh no you don’t!” Avan shouted, he then wound up and actually kicked the Golem’s head, “Hey! Get up! You made a promise to Marion! She’s my friend and I won’t allow you to hurt her by breaking it! So get your big metal ass up! Now!

No man, not even a man made out of metal should take back their word once it’s been given to a lady! You hear me!”

The lights in the cockpit lit up once again and the Golem raised its head, then said in its slow mechanical voice, “It is done…”

“What’s done?!” Avan asked.

A small compartment door in the Golems chest slide open and a large cassette popped out. The Golem moved closer to Avan, “Take… it…” The Golem instructed.

Avan didn’t move, he looked up at the Golem in confusion and asked, “What is it?”

“My… farewell to my goddaughter… Marion…”

“What?!” Avan exclaimed, he then briskly shook his head, “No! You promised her that you’d make it back! I don’t care if you have to drag yourself the whole way, or if I have to chain you to a tank, but you’re coming back one way or another!”

The Golem growled, Avan dove to the ground, rolled and picked up his rifle and aimed it up at the Golem from his crouched position, “I may be smaller than you, but I’ll still take you on! Bring it!”

Then, the Golem chuckled, “You’re a brave one. Foolish and completely reckless… but brave. I know she’ll be safe with you and your friends.”

“But you said--”

“There are things about me that you’ll never be able to understand. And I do not have the time to explain it to you. It is however, recorded on this tape. Take it… give it to Marion so that she may know the truth and understand why I’ve chosen to stay behind and… ultimately break my promise to her.”

Another beam shot overhead and took out a artillery gun behind Avan, sending off a large explosion that snapped them back to reality.

“Once you have the tape… Run.”

“Run?” Avan asked.

“I will hold off the V2s for as long as I can… then I’ll overload this horrible weapon of war and self-destruct, taking as many of those V2s with me as I can.

I do not know how large the explosion will be, but I know that from where your units are currently placed… that it is not far enough to be safely out of its blast radius.”

The Golem then lowered itself back down to Avan and held out the Golden cross pendant to him.

“Take the cassette… and the Pendant. Give them both to my Marion.” The Golem said, and Avan quickly reached up, took the cassette out of its chest and then grabbed Marion’s golden cross pendant out of its hand and stepped back.

The Golem then began to stand up, its hands retracting back into its arms as huge barrels came out of hidden compartments, it turned towards the approaching V2s, but looked back at Avan and shouted, “Now go!”

Avan turned and ran back towards Class G and the other cadets. He looked over his shoulder as he ran and saw the Golem firing its destructive blue beams at the V2s, then a blaze of machine gun fire from its arms as its body twisted and its legs stomped towards them.

Avan then dove into the nearby ditch and joined the others.

Cosette was carefully cradling Marion in her arms, Zeri was giving orders to the other classes over the radio. But they both stopped and turned to Avan.

“Avan! What happened to the--”

“No time to explain! All classes pull back!! NOW!” Avan shouted.

Cosette let out a baffled gasped, “Pull back? But what about--”

“He’s not coming! He’s waiting for us to get to a safe distance, so let’s get moving!!”

“Safe distance? From what?!” Zeri asked in bewilderment.

“The blast radius once he self-destructs!” Avan shouted, “Grab Marion and let’s get out of here!”

Zeri nodded and got back on the radio, “This is an emergency retreat! All classes pull back! Code ‘R’! I repeat, Code ‘R’!!

Code ‘R’ was the order given to force an immediate retreat. Leaving even the artillery guns or any other heavy equipment that could not be carried out. Only the most essential items were brought along. That included wounded personnel.

All the classes then turned 180 degrees or climb out of the ditches and began to run as fast as they could. Luckily, all the transport trucks and jeeps used to bring in the supplies and artillery were already turned and facing towards Lanseal academy.

Avan opened the tailgate of a nearby transport truck and began to wave everyone in while shouting, “Go! Go! GO!!” as they passed him and piled into the back. Once it was fully loaded, he shut the tailgate and ran to join Cosette, Zeri and Marion who were already piled into a small jeep and were waiting for him.

“Come on, Avan!” Zeri shouted from the drivers seat.

“Get in! Quickly!” Cosette begged from the back as she carefully held Marions head in her lap.

As the other trucks and jeeps were pulling away, Avan jumped onto the jeeps hood, leapt over the windshield and plopped down into the passengers seat of the open air jeep.

“Step on it, Zeri!” Avan ordered.

The Jeep then burned out and rocketed down the road, along with the other vehicles some ways ahead. All were headed back to Lanseal Academy.

Meanwhile, the V4 or Golem was getting hammered relentlessly by the V2s. Even for a machine of war as powerful as the Golem, it was no match against this many V2s. There were numerous scorch marks all over its body from direct beam blasts. One of its beam cannons was destroyed and shooting out sparks. One of its badly damaged legs had become immobile and every time it took steps it had to be dragged across the ground.

A powerful blast to the chest from Dirk had finally caused the Golem to fall backwards and smash into the ground. Still, the V2s didn’t stop firing on the downed Golem, staying true to their order to completely destroy it.

“This is it… I only hope they made it far enough…” The Golem said, “Goodbye… Marion… and you… Avan…”

As the V2s moved in closer, Dirk stopped as he heard something begin to charge up, like their beam weapons, but only much louder. Immediately he realized that it was the Golem itself that was making the sound.

“Retreat! All units, retreat!” Dirk ordered.

Too late, as blinding beams of blue light began to shoot out of the Golems cockpit, its gun barrels and every battle scar and orifice. The sound of tremendous energy continuing to charge up was deafening at this point and Dirk only had enough time to raise his shield up and dig his feet into the ground. The Golem then in a brillant flash of blue and white light. Immediately after, a huge wall of blue flame spread out and engulfed everything around it in an enormous 360 pattern.

The nearby trees and grass were burnt to a crisp and blew apart like dry leaves as the blast wave hit it. The V2s were blown back, emitting grunts and groans as they flew through the air. True to his word, the enormous blast from the Golem also consumed the Lanseal cadets artillery guns and tanks that were placed well away from where the Golem fell.

Meanwhile, Avan, Zeri, Cosette and all the other classes looked back after a white flash nearly blinded them. That was when they witnessed the huge explosion and the sheer destructive power it unleashed.

Zeri slammed on the brakes and cranked the wheel to the left, then came to a sliding stop as he, Avan and Cosette looked back at the enormous explosion and the plume of white smoke it sent high into the air with other white rings of smoke all along its mushroom shaped cloud.

“That blast… its remarkably similar to what was described by war hero ’Welkin Gunther’ when the citadel of Ghirlandaio was destroyed by the Empires Valkyria. It was called… The Final flame of the Valkyrur.””

“The Final flame?” Cosette asked. But Marion released a moan and moved her head from side to side in Cosette’s lap.

“No time to explain! Step on it, Zeri! We’ve got to get Marion back to the infirmary at Lanseal!!” Avan urged.

“Right!” Zeri said and he slammed his foot against the accelerator and weaved in and out of the transport trucks up ahead, easily overtaking them in the smaller, more agile jeep.

Avan looked down at the cassette in his one hand and Marion’s golden cross pendant in the other. He hung his head sadly, then twisted in his seat and looked back at Marion. He brought his hand down to her head and softly ran it along her hair.

Avan sighed and said, “This will break Marion’s heart…”

Almost there, Snowman. Can't wait to see the final, combined result. See if you can get it by tomorrow!

Spoiler for Suggestions:

A few small changes: I don't think the Class G cadets should know about what happened at Ghirlandaio (I imagine the Gallian higher-ups kept such a thing under wraps). As such, that whole "Final Flame" bit should probably be left out, though Avan would know that the explosion was caused by the Golem self-destructing. Here's what I'd write for Avan's wording:

"He... he's gone..."

IMO, that speaks volumes more while being relatively brief.

Also, as I suggested before, try to have standard Rebel soldiers and tanks alongside Dirk's V2's. Adds a little more flavor.

Last, Avan's bit on saying "This will break Marion's heart" should be something he thinks to himself, IMO. Try something like this:

Avan signed as he looked at Marion. Telling her the bad news, Avan knew, would break her heart.

Sorry if that seems like it'd be a lot of work, but I think it'd be a big improvement.

-Once Marion awakens and is told by Avan and the others that her uncle is dead: Should she be mad at Avan, Cosette and possibly Zeri. (Avan made it seem like he'd do whatever it took to get her uncle back to her, but failed *so she thinks at the time* Cosette put her to sleep with a sedative, preventing her from helping her uncle herself. Ok, maybe not mad at Zeri because I can't think of a reason*

-Should I have her kick them out of her room in anger or have them remain as she listens to her uncles final goodbye? The other one would have her listen to it alone afew times, realize her mistake in getting so angry at them, even though they were only trying to help.

-And I've been thinking about that giving Avan a kiss thing, seriously :P It sounds good. Should I include it?

I only ask because as I was writing, I first had her angry at everyone right away, but apologizing later. But I dunno... it didn't seem to ring quite true to her character. What do you think?

-Once Marion awakens and is told by Avan and the others that her uncle is dead: Should she be mad at Avan, Cosette and possibly Zeri. (Avan made it seem like he'd do whatever it took to get her uncle back to her, but failed *so she thinks at the time* Cosette put her to sleep with a sedative, preventing her from helping her uncle herself. Ok, maybe not mad at Zeri because I can't think of a reason*

-Should I have her kick them out of her room in anger or have them remain as she listens to her uncles final goodbye? The other one would have her listen to it alone afew times, realize her mistake in getting so angry at them, even though they were only trying to help.

-And I've been thinking about that giving Avan a kiss thing, seriously :P It sounds good. Should I include it?

I only ask because as I was writing, I first had her angry at everyone right away, but apologizing later. But I dunno... it didn't seem to ring quite true to her character. What do you think?

Spoiler for Response:

Well, having her angry at them would be a fairly reasonable response from her, although she should be more distraught than angry. And if you have her mad at anyone, she's mad at Avan for leaving Caius. Don't go to her being furious; make it that she's just in pain from losing Caius and is acting irrationally.

As for the cassette, have Avan, Zeri and Cosette stay to listen to it. Marion's too teary-eyed to kick them out, so all of them hear Caius' last words.

And as for that kiss thing? I don't really think Marion would think of Avan as a potential love interest; they're good friends and that's where she'd want it. So if she does kiss him, it's a kiss on the cheek. (Still, such a thing should make Cosette jealous, prompting her to glomph Avan. )

-Once Marion awakens and is told by Avan and the others that her uncle is dead: Should she be mad at Avan, Cosette and possibly Zeri. (Avan made it seem like he'd do whatever it took to get her uncle back to her, but failed *so she thinks at the time* Cosette put her to sleep with a sedative, preventing her from helping her uncle herself. Ok, maybe not mad at Zeri because I can't think of a reason*

-Should I have her kick them out of her room in anger or have them remain as she listens to her uncles final goodbye? The other one would have her listen to it alone afew times, realize her mistake in getting so angry at them, even though they were only trying to help.

-And I've been thinking about that giving Avan a kiss thing, seriously :P It sounds good. Should I include it?

I only ask because as I was writing, I first had her angry at everyone right away, but apologizing later. But I dunno... it didn't seem to ring quite true to her character. What do you think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runty

Spoiler for Response:

Well, having her angry at them would be a fairly reasonable response from her, although she should be more distraught than angry. And if you have her mad at anyone, she's mad at Avan for leaving Caius. Don't go to her being furious; make it that she's just in pain from losing Caius and is acting irrationally.

As for the cassette, have Avan, Zeri and Cosette stay to listen to it. Marion's too teary-eyed to kick them out, so all of them hear Caius' last words.

And as for that kiss thing? I don't really think Marion would think of Avan as a potential love interest; they're good friends and that's where she'd want it. So if she does kiss him, it's a kiss on the cheek. (Still, such a thing should make Cosette jealous, prompting her to glomph Avan. )

Some hours later, Marion’s eyes began to flutter open, everything coming back into focus. She immediately noticed that she was in the Lanseal infirmary. A place she only ever visited friends and injured classmates. But she never had to be a patient here before.

As she tried to sit up, she winced in pain upon feeling a stinging sensation in her hand. She looked down and saw an IV needle sticking out, which was pumping in a liquid that glowed a florescent blue in the dimly lit room.

“Marion’s waking up guys!” Cosette announced and Avan and Zeri came over from the windowsill and surrounded her bed.

“Marion! Oh thank goodness, the treatment is working!” Avan said.

Marion held a hand to her head, which was spinning and throbbing. She then said, “Oh my… I’ve certainly felt better in my life…”

“You were so close to death from the poison that the doctors had to give you an experimental liquid ragnaid solution… but it looks like it’s working!” Cosette said happily.

“So I’m… going to live?” Marion asked.

“Yep, I guarantee it!” Avan said, then gave a signature chuckle.

Marion nodded, then turned her head towards the window, “What about Uncle? He made it too, right?”

No one answered, but Cosette knelt down next to Marion and took her by the hand. Avan walked over the the other side of her bed. While Zeri walked to the back of the room and began to roll a very large cassette player over, which was sitting atop a metal table.

Marion's heart began to thump faster, “What’s going on? Why won’t you answer me?” Marion asked as she sat up in her bed and looked all around her.

Avan’s hung his head, sighed and while biting his lower lip, reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out Marion’s golden cross pendant and chain and held it out to her.

Marion’s other hand cupped over her mouth and she shook her head, “No…” she said softly.

Avan took hold of Marion’s hand, placed the pendant in her palm and closed her fingers around it. Marion brought her hand back and held the pendant against her chest. She lowered her head and began to weep softly.

Avan knew not to snap back at her, he just nodded his head and said, “Sorry.”

Marion brought her hand up to her face, shook her head slowly and while sobbing, said, “I tried… so hard to save him… But I couldn’t. Just like last time… I couldn’t help him once again… It’s my fault. It’s all my fault!”

“Marion,” Avan said, and she raised her head and looked up at him with teary red eyes. “Your uncle left something for you, just before we left.”

Avan turned and pointed to the cassette player, "One final message for you, he said."

“Would you like us to leave?” Zeri asked as his finger hovered over the ‘Play’ button.

Marion thought for a while, then briskly shook her head, “No…” she pleaded, “Don’t leave… please. I feel so lost and alone right now…”

Avan sat next to Marion, turned his head to Zeri and nodded once. Zeri pushed play then walked over and stood next to Cosette as she continued to hold Marion’s hand, softly stroking it, trying to comfort her.

Then, the message played:

“Marion, I want to start off by saying how truly sorry I am that I made a promise to you that I had no intention of keeping. But I knew that you never would have gone with your friends if I did not say something to calm you.

I’m sorry that this is the second time I’ve forced a great deal of pain and suffering upon your heart. Years ago, I survived the buring of my tank, was taken to a military hospital and was told that I needed to be put into a medically induced coma, so they could operate. Just before they put me out, I asked the doctors not to tell you or your father that I survived. I thought it would be better for you to think of me as dead, than for either of you to see me in my horrifically burned state.

I once told you that I did not remember how I came to be this way, implanted into this machine of war as its pilot… But that’s not true. I wanted this… I volunteered for it.

I don’t know how long I was in the coma. But when I awoke, limbless, scarred and deformed, General Gilbert Gassenarl and Dr. Valdren approached me with an offer. The doctor needed a pilot for a new experimental weapon of war. But the pilot needed to be permanently integrated into the Golem, to serve as its living core. It also meant having my memory wiped regularly, and have no free will of my own, so that I would be a better host for the Golem and able to follow any orders given by the GRA.

Having lost my family, my platoon and disgraced as a general for abandoning my post to come save your family and mine, when the walls of Randgriz were breached by the Marmota. I felt I had no reasons left to continue serving the Gallian army or Gallia herself, because they did not help me. So I willingly joined the Gallian Revolutionary army.

I don’t know how, but just before I was about to crush you, your scream woke me up like a jolt of electricity. Seeing what I had nearly done, I realized how serious of a mistake I had made. Even after giving the offer so much thought before accepting, the idea of someday being forced to fight my own goddaughter on the battlefield was something that I had never thought would happen.

You’ve become so much stronger, since the last time I’ve seen you, Marion. I remember a young girl, crying and clutching me by the shirt as I led you from your house, to the vehicles I brought to save your family and mine when the city was breached. You were completely helpless, terrified and completely unaccustomed to being on a battlefield. Which is why I never would have thought that we'd meet like this. On opposing sides of a civil war...

But today, I saw the bravest girl I have ever laid eyes upon. Not the terrified and helpless little girl I last remembered seeing. One willing to sacrifice her own life by being ripped apart by V2s, so that her uncle would not be forced into a life of servitude. I cannot imagine how much pain you must have been in, but you forced your way through it with immeasureable inner strength, love, sheer will as you begged me not to submit.

I know now… that you do not need me to keep you safe any longer. You’re able to fend for yourself and others if needed. I also know that that Avan character will keep an eye on you for me. He cares about you a great deal, and never left my side as he urged me to come back to you. Despite the mortal danger he placed himself in by staying for as long as he could.

Ultimately, my leaving you was always the way that it had to end, Marion. You remember what Dr. Isabella said. If this machine shuts down, so do I. After the implementation process was completed, I am now completely dependant on the powered Golem to survive. That was the price I had to pay to become its living core.

Shutting down was inevitable, because it took the team of doctors of the GRA over a year of research and construction to built the recharging station you saw at the lab. Not all the teams of doctors and scientists in all of Gallia would have been able to construct another recharge station in time before my suit shut down, and I expired along with it.

So I’ve chosen to activate this suits self-destruct mechanism and completely destroy it, in doing so I hope I can achieve some level of atonement for all the young lives I took before you stopped me from taking more.

Farewell. My Marion. I know you’ll bring this horrible civil war to a swift end once I’m gone. Because I believe in you. And after seeing how brave and strong you've become since I last saw you... has made me the happiest and most proud godfather that has ever lived.

You're loving uncle and godfather... Caius Newborn."

And with that, the tape clicked and rolled to a stop after having played Caius’s final farewell to Marion.

Marion had been crying softly the whole time and had multiple streaks of tears running all over her cheeks. Zeri was passing some tissues to Cosette, as she was crying just as hard as Marion.

Marion’s head then turned to Avan, “You were with my uncle? Right before he died?”

“Yes… Even after hearing his last message… I still wish there was some way that I could have saved him for you, Marion,” Avan confessed, “So that you wouldn’t have to go through so much grief and anguish for losing someone you loved this much.”

Avan suddenly felt a hand caress his cheek, he was even more surprised to find that it belonged to a now brightly smiling Marion.

“And yet I’ve never seen you grieve or look the least bit sad about it. You're always worried more about other people and all I ever see is a beaming smile when you talk about him,” Marion added as she continued to softly stroke Avan’s cheek.

What she didn’t see was the surprised look on Cosette’s face behind her. Zeri couldn’t help but smile at the whole scene going on.

“Can you teach me how to do that?” Marion asked as she brought her other hand up and held it against Avan’s other cheek.

Cosette’s cheeks were bright red and she was biting down on her finger as she continued to watch what was going on between Marion and Avan.

Avan gulped, “Yeah, sure. It’s easy actually, just share stories of experiences that you and your uncle once had. Ones that made you feel happy, joyful or that just make you smile. I’m sure that you have a lot, so don’t be shy to share them with us.”

Zeri nodded, “I’d be happy to hear them, as well.”

Marion had long since stopped crying and continued to smile, “Thank you, Avan. For trying so hard to save my uncle. And for teaching me how to deal with this loss, like you have with your brother.

This time… I don’t think I’ll be as sad as I was two years ago. Not when I have people like you to help me through it.”

Marion then began to pull Avan towards her, her lips puckering up slightly. Avan’s cheeks instantly turned as bright as his hair and he shut his eyes at the last second. Then…

“Huh?” Avan asked as he felt a pair of soft lips press against his… forehead.

Marion then let Avan go and laid back against her pillow with her hands folded in her lap.

Cosette placed a hand against her thumping heart and breathed a sigh of relief. Zeri grinned and shook his head. Avan continued to look lost in surprise and was still blushing.

Marion tilted her head, “Oh… something wrong, Avan?”

“What?! Oh no… nothing really. It's just not what I was expecting. For a moment there I thought that you really were going to--”

“Kiss you?” Marion asked, “You mean on the lips?”

“W-well I-I, oh man…”

Marion then blushed and rubbed her hands together nervously, “I was just expressing my gratitude…. But if that’s what you really wanted, I’d be happy to oblige. You’re certainly handsome enough and you’ve helped me out a great deal. So come here.”

Avan was just about to answer, but Cosette rammed her shoulder into him, knocking him away from Marions bed and into the pile of metal drawers as she shook her head and said, “No! No, no, that’s quite alright. We get the point. Don’t we, Avan.”

But as she turned to look at him, she couldn’t see him. Instead she saw a moaning mound of blankets, towels, hospital gowns, gauze, bandages and so much more in the corner of the room.

Cosette ran up to the mound and dropped to her knees and she began lifting items off and cried, “Oh, Avan! I’m SO sorry!! I didn’t mean to do that!!”

Finally Avans head appeared and he had a pair of blue trousers on his head, looking like he now had two long blue ears. “Ow!!” Avan cried, “What gives, Cosette?!”

Unable to contain her laughter at the ridiculous sight, Cosette fell onto her back and began laughing out loud while kicking her legs in the air. Marion was holding her sides and rolling back and forth in her bed as she looked at Avan and laughed harder than she ever had in her life . Even Zeri placed his hands on his hips, threw his head back and laughed at the whole spectacle.

It's alittle over 16,000 words in total, and thats without me going over the WHOLE thing and correcting errors, adding suggestons and refining it. But you people are the lucky ones who got to see the whole step by step, piece by piece 'construction' of the whole story.

Gonna take some time to edit and finish the whole thing, still, nice to be able to see a play by play of the story as its coming along.

Dawwwww, that ending was really cute. Cosette knocking Avan over when Marion suggested a kiss on the lips tells me you're probably going to go ahead with that Cosette/Avan one-shot I suggested earlier.

Can't find any faults with this one. Great job, Snowman.

Speaking of my Cosette/Avan oneshot idea, I have a good idea the plot-line. (Spoilers for the October events are present!)

Spoiler for Cosette/Avan:

The story starts in November, 1937, after Avan has helped Cosette recover from her colorblindness.

Avan and Cosette are helping out in the tank hangar with some usual tasks, with Avan being on a stepladder to retrieve some parts. When Cosette asks Avan something, he loses his balance as he turns to her and falls on top of her. In the process, Avan ends up kissing Cosette on the lips! The two, clearly flustered, are unable to find anything to say to all this, though the moment is somewhat broken by Lavinia, who hassles Avan for making a mess (she doesn't realize that Avan had kissed Cosette).

Later in the day, Cosette ends up going to speak to the other girls in Class G when they have a session in a sauna (yeah, an anime cliche, but it'd be effective). Here, Cosette asks the other girls what they think of Avan, receiving varying opinions, though most think he's a nice guy. Cosette indirectly also asks them if they've ever been attracted to him; a few answer that they've thought of him slightly that way, though a few others just view him as a friend. Aliasse, however, is confused for the whole thing, not understanding the concept of love. Cosette isn't the one to explain it to her.

Meanwhile, Avan confides on what happened with Jarde (the bird), not wanting to talk to any of the other guys in Class G about it. Though he knows what he did was an accident, he can't help but admit that he feels differently about Cosette than any other girl he's known. Jarde, unable to speak, doesn't really provide commentary, though Avan decides that perhaps he should talk to Cosette about what happened, and see how she feels.

The two meet later that day at dusk. As they talk about things that have happened, Avan and Cosette realize just how attracted they are to each other. This ends in a rather... passionate moment for the two of them (making out ). Afterwards, however, the two decide to keep their romance a secret, as Lanseal's official stance on student romances is that they discourage it (policy wouldn't prevent it, but it would be an embarrassment for both of them).

For the next little while, the two try to act as usual to the others, though they end up frequently ducking away together from the other Class G's to make out. But on one of these, Zeri catches them in the act, and abruptly interrupts them. He is rather objective to the idea that the two are romantically involved with each other, and reminds them that they're still in a war. When Cosette asks why on earth Zeri would object to the two of them being in love, he points out the possibility that one of them could get killed, which would destroy the other. He also says that Avan being so emotionally attached to Cosette is sure to cause him to make bad judgment calls in the field, ruining his ability as Class G's commander. Avan, however, tells Zeri to butt out of the whole thing, and to never bring up such an idea again. When Zeri insults the two of them, however, he and Avan almost get into a fist-fight, which Cosette breaks up (she still sides with Avan). Zeri leaves, opting not to tell anyone else what's going on, but giving a last warning to Avan that he needs to set his priorities straight, and that Gallia's well-being has to come before Cosette's.

Later on, Class G is called to Melvere to push back a Rebel assault. During the battle, however, Cosette ends up being captured by a Rebel Major, one who knows Class G from a previous defeat, and whom wants revenge specifically on Avan. When Class G is about to win the battle, the Major comes forward on a rooftop with Cosette at gunpoint, threatening to kill her unless Avan comes forward. Despite Cosette protesting, Avan comes forward, not wanting Cosette to die. Unbeknownst to anyone else, though, the Major plans to kill them both. Zeri leads a small group to flank the Major and try to take him out, but his group is detected before they reach him. The Major throws Cosette from the roof, prompting Avan to run in to catch her, even while the Rebels are shooting at him. Thankfully, the other members of Class G provide immediate covering fire, allowing Avan to successfully catch Cosette. The Rebel force is wiped out, and the Major is killed by Zeri.

After the battle, Zeri again confronts Avan and Cosette, whose relationship is now out in the open. He points out he was right in that Avan made a terrible judgment call in the battle, but to his surprise, other members of Class G object to Zeri's view, with Morris even saying that if Coleen had been in such a position, he'd have done the same. Zeri is eventually forced to back down, though Avan calls him out on why he's even bothering to object in the first place. The first one to answer is Brixy; it's because of Juliana's death. Zeri had become attracted to Juliana, and her death had a severe effect on him. Zeri affirms this, saying that, in truth, he doesn't want Avan to go through the same thing if Cosette were to die, or vice versa. Cosette, however, is not deterred; she still loves Avan, and feels that if she were to stop loving him due to the war, she would regret it for the rest of her life. Avan adds in that he doesn't intend to leave Cosette all alone, and promises that he'll see everyone in Class G make it through the war.

Make modifications as you wish. This is just a rough draft of how I'd do it.

Lastly, I have an ideal roster now for that Anisette one-shot I pitched earlier.

Spoiler for Anisette Detachment:

Obviously, Anisette is the leader.

For a lancer, Reiner would be the best choice as "the big guy".

For an armored tech, definitely Joachim; he'd be a great source of comedy.

For a scout, either Chloe due to her "oh brother" attitude, or Melissa.

For an extra shock-trooper, obviously Marion; she'd be the one pointing out the flaw in Anisette's "defend the village" plan.

And as for engineer, Magari. Honestly, I don't find the other engineers would work, especially not Vicky or Heinz (I really hate those two; so out-of-place).

So what's next, Snowman? Sorry if it sounds like I'm "hounding" you, as you put it, but I really enjoy your one-shots.

Lol, I found one fault... I forgot to mention that Dirk survived the explosion, was picked up by Rebel forces and reported that the Golem was destroyed.

Oops, don't want that.

For that, you should just have it that, in the remains of the Golem's explosion, Dirk emerges from the dust before some of the surviving Rebels, miraculously with little damage. When they ask if he's alright, he ignores them, and doesn't say anything as he walks past. The Rebels see the remains of the Golem, and decide to return to base to report its destruction.

That alone should be sufficient. No need to show a scene with Dirk delivering a report or anything; implying that will happen is good enough.

Well considering I got the whole Marion story done in less than 2 weeks, I say the hounding was good :P Constant motivation, etc. Speaking of which, I think we should hound Mr. Wang to continue his story! I miss it :P

BTW, I was thinking of next tackling the Franca and Nichol story you suggested earlier.

Spoiler for Franca:

After a mission where Nichol is almost killed by a lancer, Franca gives him a particularly nasty "scolding". Nichol, however, ends up getting angry with Franca, because he had put himself in danger to save a young girl from being killed by the Rebels. Franca's words make it sound as if she would have preferred that Nichol were to let the girl die instead of risking his life; this concept causes Nichol to lash out at his sister, and he blurts out the fact that the two aren't related by blood.

Shocked, Franca slaps her brother and vehemently denies his statement, then leaves. But in truth, Franca is shaken by the revelation that Nichol may not actually be her brother, since he was adopted. Franca confirms the truth with her grandmother, much to her dismay.

When Franca goes to try and talk with Nichol, however, their talk is interrupted by a deployment order to Yuell. During the battle, Nichol is taken prisoner by a Rebel team (about 3 of them). Knowing that the Rebels will execute Nichol due to being a sniper, Franca locates Nichol and his captors, but is caught in the process. Desperate to save Nichol, Franca offers to take his place as the Rebel's prisoner. The Rebels, however, don't intend to let either of them go.

Nichol watches in horror as the Rebels attempt to rape Franca. Her screaming ends up setting off something in him, prompting him to attack the Rebels despite being unarmed and with his arms tied up. The Rebels try to kill Nichol for this, but he and Franca are rescued by Avan and company, who kill the Rebels.

Back at Lanseal, Franca reconciles with Nichol, saying that even if the two aren't related by blood, he is still her brother, and that she is going to treat him as such. Nichol is only half-happy to hear something like this. Before Franca leaves, however, she thanks Nichol for saving her.

^This one sounds fun and slightly challenging. But first I need to finish correcting/editing and adding to the Marion story so I could post it up at fanfiction for the other readers *though most reside here :P*

Then, somehow or other, get back on the Magari story. I got a few hours of work to tackle to get my Marion story up, so I'll get to it.

Well considering I got the whole Marion story done in less than 2 weeks, I say the hounding was good :P Constant motivation, etc. Speaking of which, I think we should hound Mr. Wang to continue his story! I miss it :P

BTW, I was thinking of next tackling the Franca and Nichol story you suggested earlier.

Spoiler for Franca:

After a mission where Nichol is almost killed by a lancer, Franca gives him a particularly nasty "scolding". Nichol, however, ends up getting angry with Franca, because he had put himself in danger to save a young girl from being killed by the Rebels. Franca's words make it sound as if she would have preferred that Nichol were to let the girl die instead of risking his life; this concept causes Nichol to lash out at his sister, and he blurts out the fact that the two aren't related by blood.

Shocked, Franca slaps her brother and vehemently denies his statement, then leaves. But in truth, Franca is shaken by the revelation that Nichol may not actually be her brother, since he was adopted. Franca confirms the truth with her grandmother, much to her dismay.

When Franca goes to try and talk with Nichol, however, their talk is interrupted by a deployment order to Yuell. During the battle, Nichol is taken prisoner by a Rebel team (about 3 of them). Knowing that the Rebels will execute Nichol due to being a sniper, Franca locates Nichol and his captors, but is caught in the process. Desperate to save Nichol, Franca offers to take his place as the Rebel's prisoner. The Rebels, however, don't intend to let either of them go.

Nichol watches in horror as the Rebels attempt to rape Franca. Her screaming ends up setting off something in him, prompting him to attack the Rebels despite being unarmed and with his arms tied up. The Rebels try to kill Nichol for this, but he and Franca are rescued by Avan and company, who kill the Rebels.

Back at Lanseal, Franca reconciles with Nichol, saying that even if the two aren't related by blood, he is still her brother, and that she is going to treat him as such. Nichol is only half-happy to hear something like this. Before Franca leaves, however, she thanks Nichol for saving her.

^This one sounds fun and slightly challenging. But first I need to finish correcting/editing and adding to the Marion story so I could post it up at fanfiction for the other readers *though most reside here :P*

Then, somehow or other, get back on the Magari story. I got a few hours of work to tackle to get my Marion story up, so I'll get to it.

Definitely like that you plan to tackle the Franca/Nichol one, but since you've already got a lot for the Magari one (at least, from the previews), maybe you should finish that one first. It'd take you less time, IMO.

Lol, same, I'm going to the city. Every year, around this time, we have a great big get together and PARTY! We all met at University and we were all first year students and became friends... then we found out the strangest thing...

There's like 6 of us and we're all Gemini's lol. So, instead of celebrating each ones birthday throughout the month, we all meet up in the city and have a Gemini birthday bash, for all of us at the same time :P.

ANYWAYS! I was giving your Franca+Nichol fanfic some thought and nearly all of it has been changed with what I've come up with.

Spoiler for Franca fanfic changes:

The Feast of all spirits is coming up, and after all the months that have passed since school started and after he's confessed who his love interest is to Avan, Nichol has finally decided that this, the feast, is the perfect time to finally tell Franca how he feels.

With this in mind, he's spent the last few days writing, re-writing and editing the love letter, which includes a lovely poem. Now, on the day of the festival, Nichol is going off to find Franca. After a short search, he spots her, talking to some girls from class G. He's so flustered that as he rushes over to her, he bumps into Sofia. In the process, and as she's getting up and yelling to 'watch where he's going', she happens to pick up the letter, unfolds it and reads it.

But, after a quick read through, she can't believe what its contains. She then repeats the whole love confession out loud, so that everyone, including Franca can hear. Everyone in the area is either shocked, thinks its funny or wrong and laughs out loud.

Franca is so mad, she stomps over to Nichol and picks him up off the ground and scolds him, asking him whats wrong with his head! Nichol apologizes, but tells Franca that he loves her just the same. Franca slaps him, as what he just said causes more laughter or gasps from everyone crowded around them.

Nichol turns to her, teary eyed and screams that it's ok for him to love her, because they aren't related by blood or something to that sort to get his point through. Franca is shocked to hear this, and doesn't believe it at first. But, before she can say anything...

Sofia the proceeds to tease the two bickering siblings with the classic, "Franca and Nichol sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n" Then gets punched out by Franca as she retorts with a "Learn some respect" or one of her classic lines.

But in striking not only Sofia, but Nichol repeatedly, its caught the attention of Professor Brixy. And it's against school policy to perform any acts of violence within the academy grounds. And it doesn't matter whether or not it was brought on by Sofias teasing. So, for the rest of the day, Franca is told to report to solitary confinement in the old building holding cells.

Now, Franca's furious that not only has she been publicly humiliated by her brother, got into a scrap with Sofia, but now she's forced to spend the one day of the year thats most important to gallians, locked in a cell. She tells Nichol that she 'won't forget this' or that she'll never forgive him, something to that sort.

Nichol also goes into hiding, somewhere on the academy grounds, possibly the roof and thinks about what he's done. That's when the GRA invades by way of blimp, as in the game. Nichol has the worst possible spot, on the roof, and is nearly crushed by the falling bell tower, but also gets knocked out in the process.

When he comes to and from his high observation point, he spots a squad of V2s heading for the old building, where his sister and the woman he loves, is imprisoned. So he sets off to go rescue her.

Lol, same, I'm going to the city. Every year, around this time, we have a great big get together and PARTY! We all met at University and we were all first year students and became friends... then we found out the strangest thing...

There's like 6 of us and we're all Gemini's lol. So, instead of celebrating each ones birthday throughout the month, we all meet up in the city and have a Gemini birthday bash, for all of us at the same time :P.

ANYWAYS! I was giving your Franca+Nichol fanfic some thought and nearly all of it has been changed with what I've come up with.

Spoiler for Franca fanfic changes:

The Feast of all spirits is coming up, and after all the months that have passed since school started and after he's confessed who his love interest is to Avan, Nichol has finally decided that this, the feast, is the perfect time to finally tell Franca how he feels.

With this in mind, he's spent the last few days writing, re-writing and editing the love letter, which includes a lovely poem. Now, on the day of the festival, Nichol is going off to find her. After a short search, he spots her, talking to some girls from class G. He's so flustered that as he rushes over to her, he bumps into Sofia. In the process, and as she's getting up and yelling to watch where he's going, she happens to pick up the letter, unfolds it and reads it.

But, after a quick read through, she can't believe what its contents, so she repeats the whole love confession out loud, so that everyone, including Franca can hear. Everyone in the area is either shocked, thinks its funny or wrong and laughs out loud.

Franca is so mad, she stomps over to Nichol and picks him up off the ground and scolds him, asking him whats wrong with his head or something to that sort! Nichol apologizes, but tells Franca that he loves her, just the same. Franca slaps him, as what he just said causes more laughter or gasps from everyone crowded around them.

Nichol turns to her, teary eyed and screams that its ok for him to love her, because they aren't related by blood or something to that sort to get his point through. Franca is shocked to hear this, and doesn't believe it at first.

Sofia the proceeds to tease the two bickering siblings with the classis, "Franca and Nichol sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n" Then gets punched out by Franca as she retorts with a "Learn some respect" or one of her classic lines.

But in striking not only Sofia, but Nichol repeatedly, its caught the attention of Professor Brixy. And it's against policy to perform any acts of violence within the academy grounds, and it doesn't matter whether or not it was brought on by Sofias teasing. So, for the rest of the day, Sofia is told to report to solitary confinement in the old building holding cells.

No she's furious that not only has she been humiliated by her brother, got into a scrap with Sofia, but now she's forced to spend the one day of the year thats most important to gallians, locked in a cell. She tells Nichol that she 'won't forget this' or that she'll never forgive him, something to that sort.

Nichol also goes into hiding, somewhere on the academy grounds, possibly the roof and thinks about what he's done. That's when the GRA invades, Nichol has the worst possible spot, on the roof, and is nearly crushed by the falling bell tower, but also gets knocked out in the process.

When he comes to and from his high observation point, he spots a squad of V2s heading for the old building, where his sister and the woman he loves, is imprisoned. So he sets off to go rescue her.

It's what I decided to change so far.

Spoiler for Impressions:

Wow, that'd work wonderfully, though a few changes could be made.

I'd not have it be Sofia who reads the letter, though; seems a little cruel, even for her. Have it be some random cadet from Class A who is still sour at Class G for their victory in the Levatein Cup. That'd make more sense.

Also, having V2's storming the old building wouldn't really work; have it be elite Rebel shock troopers instead, as they're more mobile and the V2's would be preoccupied fighting Lanseal's tanks and armor.

The academy grounds were abuzz with activity. Students were setting up food stands, gaming stations, a huge center stage and many other items and places. All were getting ready for Gallia’s most significant holiday and festival, the “Feast of All Spirits” as it was called. The one day of the year when all the spirits and people of Gallia come together to express their love for one another. Whether it be romantic, friendship or between family members, this was the time of year to get a gift for them and let them know how you felt about them or how much they meant to you.

There was also a special tradition and belief between people romantically interested in the opposite sex. It was said that if you give a gift to them on the Feast of All Spirits festival, then things would work out well between them. It was this very idea that had helped Nichol Martin finally decide to confess his true feelings for Franca, his sister.

Nichol found out the truth about their relationship by accidentally overhearing a conversation between their parents. It turned out that he and his sister were not related by blood. Not long after, his feelings towards his sister changed from sibling love to real love and affection. It only grew stronger and stronger as the years passed, even more after Franca followed Nichol to the academy after was accepted.
---
The Feast of All Spirits was tomorrow, and Nichol hadn’t lent a hand to help set up all day. No, he was inside his dorm room. There were dozens of crumpled up bits of paper littered all around the desk where he was currently working. He only scribbled a few more words on the fresh sheet of paper he had started on, when he groaned, ripped the page out of his notebook and crumpled it up just like all the others. Just as he threw it over his shoulder, there was a knock on his door.

He bolted up right and nervously asked, “W-who is it?”

“It’s me! Your sister!!” Franca barked from the other side of the door, “I’ve been searching everywhere for you! Why are you all cooped up in your room, when you should be lending a hand getting ready for the festival!!”

Nichol had left his desk and was on his hands and knees, furiously sweeping all the crumpled up love confessions under his bed with his arm. He was sweating bullets, his cheeks were rosy red and he was near the point of hyperventilation. But he managed to wheeze out, “S-sorry, Franca! I-I’m just n-not feeling all that good right now. I w-wish I could help though. I’m sorry.”

Nichol then heard a key enter the knob on his door and begin to turn. Nichol gave the room a lightning fast scan to make sure all the notes were hidden, then torn off his jacket in a flash and dove onto his bed. The knob began to turn and Nichol put on his best ‘sick’ face and act. Coughing and moaning as well.

Franca then entered the room and walked up to his bed, taking a sitting position next to Nichol. She noticed how pale and sweaty he looked and it concerned her, but only for a moment. Then she returned to her normal self, “If you’re so sick, then how come you haven’t gone to the infirmary, Nichol!”

Nichol coughed a few times, cleared his throat, then said, “S-sorry. It doesn’t seem all that bad, so I didn’t want to bother anyone over there.”

“Not that bad, huh? Hmmm… let me check.” Franca said. She then began to lean in towards Nichol, while brushing her hair away from her forehead with her hand. Then, like she used to do when they were younger, she placed her forehead against Nichol’s. She closed her eyes for a moment to concentrate on feeling for any signs of a fever.

For Nichol, however, being this close to Franca caused his heart to thump deep and hard in his chest. He could hear the rapid beats within his ears and was worried Franca would hear them as well.
“S-she’s so close to me… Her soft skin… Her warm breath… Her soft lips… just inches away.” Nichol thought. And for a moment, he wanted to wrap his hand softly around the back of her head and pull her in the rest of the way and plant a kiss right on her lips.

Franca and Nichol looked towards the doorway and saw the two standing there. Avan was scratching the back of his head and blushing. Cosette was jumping up and down while clapping her hands together giddily.

Franca shook her head and grunted, “Hmph, what do you two want? Can’t you see my brother is gravely ill!!”

“N-no, no. It’s nothing like that. I’m just a little under the weather at the moment.” Nichol said next.

“Actually, we were just coming to check up on Nichol. He was the only one missing, so we were worried.” Avan said.

Nichol blushed, “I-I’m sorry. I guess I could try and come down for a little while--”

“Nonsense!” Franca burst out, “You stay in bed, mister! You hear me?! You’re not going anywhere or doing anything that will only make your fever and illness worse, got it?!”

“Y-yeah, I got it…” Nichol replied. He then laid back down in his bed and Franca pulled the thin white sheet over him and even fluffed his pillow for him.

“Now, you stay in bed for the rest of the day“ Franca ordered, “And don’t let me catch you anywhere on the academy grounds once I leave, or you’ll end up in the infirmary with more than just a fever, understood?”

Nichol gave a quick nod and Franca’s face softened and she reached out once again and brushed his cheek softly with the back of her hand soothingly. She then turned and began to leave. But then glared at Avan as she walked past, as a warning not to bother her brother anymore.

Avan clearly got the message, “I just want to talk with him, only for a minute!”

“Fine. Make it quick.” Franca said, she then disappeared as she turned down the corridor and walked off.

Cosette remained, but Avan then turned to her and said, “Sorry, but could we have a moment? Just some… guy things that we need to talk about.”

“Sure, I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything like that.” Cosette replied with a smile, she also walked off and left the area.

Avan then smirked and asked, “You’re not really sick, are you?”

Nichol breathed a sigh of relief and said, “No… I just said that because Franca nearly burst in on me while I was… writing my love confession to her. I want to read it to her tomorrow for the feast.

It’s said that if you do something romantic like that on the day of the feast, then your chances of being together will be that much greater because of the significance of the festival.”

“Oh, you still haven’t?” Avan asked, “I was almost sure that you did… judging by the way she was sitting on your bed and caressing your face. I thought we walked in on a romantic moment between you two.”

Nichol chuckled and replied with, “No. Nothing like that… Though I wish it were.”

Avan bit his lip nervously and asked, “If you haven’t confessed… then that must mean that she still thinks that you two are still just…”

“Brother and sister?” Nichol asked.

“Yeah…”

“No one else knows besides me that you two aren‘t related by blood and everything. Heck, I haven’t even told Cosette and Zeri about this. So if you’re going to do go through with your confession… I suggest you take her somewhere private during the festival.” Avan advised.

“Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to writing. I want it to be absolutely perfect.” Nichol said as he hopped out of bed and returned to his work desk.

“Alright, take care, Nichol.” Avan said as he backed out of the room. But Nichol was so busy concentrating on his work that he didn’t seem to hear or even acknowledge him.

Avan was lost in his own thoughts as he walked down the corridor with his hands in his pockets. He was worried about the whole thing. Franca still didn’t know the truth about her and her brothers family secret. Was this really the best way to finally learn the truth… But Avan knew that it wasn’t his place to judge or try and stop it.
---
The next day, the Feast and festival was in full swing. Students were moving from booth to booth, collecting snacks, food, playing games or doing any number of items each booth contained. Many of the students were already in the process of exchanging gifts to their friends, lovers or family members.

Nichol, however, was a mess. He had dark circles under his eyes due to lack of sleep, from having stayed up all night to complete his love letter. He had to concentrate to stay awake as he walked, partially dragging his feet with each step. His once fake illness now seemed to be turning into a real one. He felt woozy, unbalanced and had a bad headache.

Suddenly, all of that went away once Franca came into view. She was talking with Marion and Anisette next to a frozen iced treats stand. They were laughing and licking on orange popsicles.

Now, Nichol was getting very nervous. He didn’t even notice that he was blocking the flow of traffic down the walkway, with him planted right in the very middle of it. His hands were trembling as he opened the folded up letter once more and gave it one last look over. The paper rattling furiously in his trembling hands.

He inhaled deeply, exhaled very slowly and began to walk over to Franca. He was so focused on Franca, admiring how beautiful she looked that day, that he didn’t even notice a group of four Class A students walking towards him.

Nichol collided with a large male student who must have been a lancer, his large size easily knocked Nichol over and he landed on his butt, releasing an “oomph” as soon as he hit.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, small fry!” The lancer said with a glare.

“Oh, It’s a Class G boy.” A blonde haired female with glasses said.

“Just because you won the Laevatein cup, doesn’t mean that you’re king of the road and can do whatever you please, silly boy.” a brown haired female hissed.

Nichol was dusting off his jacket as he remained on the ground, then bowed apologetically and said, “I’m sorry…”

A medium built boy with parted black hair and glasses then reached down and picked up a piece of paper that had fallen out of the Class G boys hand, “What’s this?” he asked aloud as he unfolded it.

Nichol gasped as he patted his pockets and then checked his two empty hands, realizing that he had dropped his love letter… to his sister and it was now being read by a nosy Class A student.

He was so paralyzed by fear, that he couldn’t move or emit the slightest squeak as all his breath left him the moment he gasped.

The brown haired girl snatched it away and began to read it, then her eyes burst wide open and she said, “Oh my god… This is so gross!!”

“Why? What is??” the Class A lancer asked.

The girl was laughing and slapping her knee, but was able to say, “This boy… and the girl in this letter that he’s confessing to… are siblings!!”

“WHAT?! Oh man, that’s disgusting!!” the blonde haired girl laughed.

By this time, their laughter had attracted some curious stares from the other academy students nearby. Sadly, this included Franca, Marion, Anisette and even Avan and Cosette.

Nichol was tearing at his hair and blushing bright red as the girl began to read only parts of the letter in a cheesy romantic voice;

“Dearest Franca

Blah Blah Blah, I cannot stop thinking about you, your beauty and all the things that draw me to you. Your beautiful brown hair that outshines the rays of the sun on a warm, summers day. The delicate softness of your touch as you caress my cheek with your long, slender fingers that I dream of holding in my own hands, one day. Yada Yada Yada.

I’ve worked hard to become the right man for you. Just as I said I would. I hope that by saying these words, it’ll prove once and for all that I am that man. My Dearest Franca… I love you. With all my heart and Soul. If you’ll have me, I’ll watch over you forever and love you till the day I die. So on, so on and so forth.” The girl continued with her cheesy voice.

Meanwhile, all around, there were many, many gasps. Students standing with wide open eyes and with mouths dropped open. Others were laughing hysterically as they listened to a brother, confess his love to his very own sister.

Anisette and Marion were just about to ask Franca what was going on, but she had already dropped her orange popsicle and was stomping over to the group that were harassing her brother.

“Stop it! Leave him alone!” She shouted.

“This is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard! It’s disgraceful that something like this could ever happen on the Lanseal academy grounds! A place of such distinguished reputation and honour!” The blonde shot back.

“Yeah, right. I know my brother, he would never do something like this!” Franca reasoned, “It has to be some kind of sick joke you class A jerks are playing, for losing the Laevatein cup to Class G, fair and square!”

“Don’t believe us… read it yourself.” the brown haired girl from Class A said as she held the note out to Franca.

Franca crossed her arms, “I don’t need to read it! Because I know it’s not true… right, Nichol. It’s cruel joke or prank being played on us… right?”

Nichol couldn’t answer, so he just lowered his head to break the strong gaze that Franca was giving him.

Franca gasped, then snatched the letter from the class a girl and quickly read it. Once, then twice, then a third time as more and more students were crowding around. A few faculty staff members had also gather around to see what was going on, including Professor Brixham.

Finally Franca lowered the letter and began to shake her head briskly, while saying, “No… No! This can’t be true! Tell me it‘s not true, Nichol!!” Franca said as she glared at her brother.

Nichol still wasn’t looking up at Franca. Furious, she tore the letter up multiple times and threw the pieces high into the air and stomped towards Nichol and picked him up off the ground and began to shake him.

“Tell me it’s not true! Tell me it‘s not true!!” Franca screamed less than two inches from Nichol’s face. When he didn’t respond again, she slapped him hard across the cheek. Sending out a wave of gasps from the nearby students and faculty members.

“SAY IT!” she ordered as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Nichol’s cheek had a bright red mark from the hit, his head still held low, then he spoke: “It’s true… Franca. It really is how I feel about you… I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

Franca then slapped him on the other cheek and began to pound her balled up fist against his chest and shoulder, “Don’t you dare say that!! How could you even think that! We’re brother and sister, you and I!”

“No, we’re not!” Nichol finally shout back, “Not in the way you think. We’re not related by blood, Franca. So it’s alright for me to feel this way about you.”

Franca stopped the moment she heard this bit of news, about not being blood related brother and sister.

But they were interrupted by the same Class A guys and girls, now mocking them as they puckered their lips, kissed the air and began to chant, “Nichol and Franca, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N--”

Unexpectedly, Franca released Nichol, spun around and her fist connected to the brown haired girls jaw, sending her to the ground in the blink of an eye.

Franca was breathing heavily as she looked down at the girl. She was holding her jaw, moaning and was starting to sit up.

“Learn some respect!” Franca screamed, then turned to everyone who was gathered around her. She glared at everyone who had stopped and stared. But did nothing to stop the teasing. She shook her head and then said, “You should all be ashamed…”

Professor Brixham then stepped forward while shaking his head, “And so should you, Miss Franca,” he said, “You know that any form of violence against another student it strictly prohibited by school policy. Especially when we are in the middle of a civil war. We cannot afford to start fighting each other on academy grounds when this is supposed to be our sanctuary from battle, as well as our home.

And I cannot let this slide, regardless if they started it with the teasing, you threw the first punch. That, combined with hitting your brother repeatedly, means that I’m forced to place you under arrest and send you to the old buildings holding cells. You’re to be placed into solitary confinement for the rest of the day.”

“It’s the law of the Academy, it must be enforced. Even on such an important Gallian holiday such as this.” Brixham pointed out. “Shall I call for an escort?”

Franca sighed, “No… I’ll go peacefully…”

“Very well then.”

Franca then turned to Nichol, and just as two tear drops fell from her eyes, she said, “I’ll never forgive you for this… Nichol. Nor shall I ever forget it… You ruined the one day that all Gallian’s cherish and look forward to… and you broke my heart…”

Franca then turned and began to walk towards the old building, to serve her sentence and miss out on the rest of the festival and other events planned for that day.

Meanwhile, Avan was walking towards Nichol, “Hey… sorry it all went down like that, I really am.”

“Avan, I… I’m sorry… I need to be alone right now…” Nichol said as he turned and ran towards the academy, seeking refugee at the one place where there was certain to be no one else… the rooftop.

The academy grounds were abuzz with activity. Students were setting up food stands, gaming stations, a huge center stage and many other items and places. All were getting ready for Gallia’s most significant holiday and festival, the “Feast of All Spirits” as it was called. The one day of the year when all the spirits and people of Gallia come together to express their love for one another. Whether it be romantic, friendship or between family members, this was the time of year to get a gift for them and let them know how you felt about them or how much they meant to you.

There was also a special tradition and belief between people romantically interested in the opposite sex. It was said that if you give a gift to them on the Feast of All Spirits festival, then things would work out well between them. It was this very idea that had helped Nichol Martin finally decide to confess his true feelings for Franca, his sister.

Nichol found out the truth about their relationship by accidentally overhearing a conversation between their parents. It turned out that he and his sister were not related by blood. Not long after, his feelings towards his sister changed from sibling love to real love and affection. It only grew stronger and stronger as the years passed, even more after Franca followed Nichol to the academy after was accepted.
---
The Feast of All Spirits was tomorrow, and Nichol hadn’t lent a hand to help set up all day. No, he was inside his dorm room. There were dozens of crumpled up bits of paper littered all around the desk where he was currently working. He only scribbled a few more words on the fresh sheet of paper he had started on, when he groaned, ripped the page out of his notebook and crumpled it up just like all the others. Just as he threw it over his shoulder, there was a knock on his door.

He bolted up right and nervously asked, “W-who is it?”

“It’s me! Your sister!!” Franca barked from the other side of the door, “I’ve been searching everywhere for you! Why are you all cooped up in your room, when you should be lending a hand getting ready for the festival!!”

Nichol had left his desk and was on his hands and knees, furiously sweeping all the crumpled up love confessions under his bed with his arm. He was sweating bullets, his cheeks were rosy red and he was near the point of hyperventilation. But he managed to wheeze out, “S-sorry, Franca! I-I’m just n-not feeling all that good right now. I w-wish I could help though. I’m sorry.”

Nichol then heard a key enter the knob on his door and begin to turn. Nichol gave the room a lightning fast scan to make sure all the notes were hidden, then torn off his jacket in a flash and dove onto his bed. The knob began to turn and Nichol put on his best ‘sick’ face and act. Coughing and moaning as well.

Franca then entered the room and walked up to his bed, taking a sitting position next to Nichol. She noticed how pale and sweaty he looked and it concerned her, but only for a moment. Then she returned to her normal self, “If you’re so sick, then how come you haven’t gone to the infirmary, Nichol!”

Nichol coughed a few times, cleared his throat, then said, “S-sorry. It doesn’t seem all that bad, so I didn’t want to bother anyone over there.”

“Not that bad, huh? Hmmm… let me check.” Franca said. She then began to lean in towards Nichol, while brushing her hair away from her forehead with her hand. Then, like she used to do when they were younger, she placed her forehead against Nichol’s. She closed her eyes for a moment to concentrate on feeling for any signs of a fever.

For Nichol, however, being this close to Franca caused his heart to thump deep and hard in his chest. He could hear the rapid beats within his ears and was worried Franca would hear them as well.
“S-she’s so close to me… Her soft skin… Her warm breath… Her soft lips… just inches away.” Nichol thought. And for a moment, he wanted to wrap his hand softly around the back of her head and pull her in the rest of the way and plant a kiss right on her lips.

Franca and Nichol looked towards the doorway and saw the two standing there. Avan was scratching the back of his head and blushing. Cosette was jumping up and down while clapping her hands together giddily.

Franca shook her head and grunted, “Hmph, what do you two want? Can’t you see my brother is gravely ill!!”

“N-no, no. It’s nothing like that. I’m just a little under the weather at the moment.” Nichol said next.

“Actually, we were just coming to check up on Nichol. He was the only one missing, so we were worried.” Avan said.

Nichol blushed, “I-I’m sorry. I guess I could try and come down for a little while--”

“Nonsense!” Franca burst out, “You stay in bed, mister! You hear me?! You’re not going anywhere or doing anything that will only make your fever and illness worse, got it?!”

“Y-yeah, I got it…” Nichol replied. He then laid back down in his bed and Franca pulled the thin white sheet over him and even fluffed his pillow for him.

“Now, you stay in bed for the rest of the day“ Franca ordered, “And don’t let me catch you anywhere on the academy grounds once I leave, or you’ll end up in the infirmary with more than just a fever, understood?”

Nichol gave a quick nod and Franca’s face softened and she reached out once again and brushed his cheek softly with the back of her hand soothingly. She then turned and began to leave. But then glared at Avan as she walked past, as a warning not to bother her brother anymore.

Avan clearly got the message, “I just want to talk with him, only for a minute!”

“Fine. Make it quick.” Franca said, she then disappeared as she turned down the corridor and walked off.

Cosette remained, but Avan then turned to her and said, “Sorry, but could we have a moment? Just some… guy things that we need to talk about.”

“Sure, I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything like that.” Cosette replied with a smile, she also walked off and left the area.

Avan then smirked and asked, “You’re not really sick, are you?”

Nichol breathed a sigh of relief and said, “No… I just said that because Franca nearly burst in on me while I was… writing my love confession to her. I want to read it to her tomorrow for the feast.

It’s said that if you do something romantic like that on the day of the feast, then your chances of being together will be that much greater because of the significance of the festival.”

“Oh, you still haven’t?” Avan asked, “I was almost sure that you did… judging by the way she was sitting on your bed and caressing your face. I thought we walked in on a romantic moment between you two.”

Nichol chuckled and replied with, “No. Nothing like that… Though I wish it were.”

Avan bit his lip nervously and asked, “If you haven’t confessed… then that must mean that she still thinks that you two are still just…”

“Brother and sister?” Nichol asked.

“Yeah…”

“No one else knows besides me that you two aren‘t related by blood and everything. Heck, I haven’t even told Cosette and Zeri about this. So if you’re going to do go through with your confession… I suggest you take her somewhere private during the festival.” Avan advised.

“Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to writing. I want it to be absolutely perfect.” Nichol said as he hopped out of bed and returned to his work desk.

“Alright, take care, Nichol.” Avan said as he backed out of the room. But Nichol was so busy concentrating on his work that he didn’t seem to hear or even acknowledge him.

Avan was lost in his own thoughts as he walked down the corridor with his hands in his pockets. He was worried about the whole thing. Franca still didn’t know the truth about her and her brothers family secret. Was this really the best way to finally learn the truth… But Avan knew that it wasn’t his place to judge or try and stop it.
---
The next day, the Feast and festival was in full swing. Students were moving from booth to booth, collecting snacks, food, playing games or doing any number of items each booth contained. Many of the students were already in the process of exchanging gifts to their friends, lovers or family members.

Nichol, however, was a mess. He had dark circles under his eyes due to lack of sleep, from having stayed up all night to complete his love letter. He had to concentrate to stay awake as he walked, partially dragging his feet with each step. His once fake illness now seemed to be turning into a real one. He felt woozy, unbalanced and had a bad headache.

Suddenly, all of that went away once Franca came into view. She was talking with Marion and Anisette next to a frozen iced treats stand. They were laughing and licking on orange popsicles.

Now, Nichol was getting very nervous. He didn’t even notice that he was blocking the flow of traffic down the walkway, with him planted right in the very middle of it. His hands were trembling as he opened the folded up letter once more and gave it one last look over. The paper rattling furiously in his trembling hands.

He inhaled deeply, exhaled very slowly and began to walk over to Franca. He was so focused on Franca, admiring how beautiful she looked that day, that he didn’t even notice a group of four Class A students walking towards him.

Nichol collided with a large male student who must have been a lancer, his large size easily knocked Nichol over and he landed on his butt, releasing an “oomph” as soon as he hit.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, small fry!” The lancer said with a glare.

“Oh, It’s a Class G boy.” A blonde haired female with glasses said.

“Just because you won the Laevatein cup, doesn’t mean that you’re king of the road and can do whatever you please, silly boy.” a brown haired female hissed.

Nichol was dusting off his jacket as he remained on the ground, then bowed apologetically and said, “I’m sorry…”

A medium built boy with parted black hair and glasses then reached down and picked up a piece of paper that had fallen out of the Class G boys hand, “What’s this?” he asked aloud as he unfolded it.

Nichol gasped as he patted his pockets and then checked his two empty hands, realizing that he had dropped his love letter… to his sister and it was now being read by a nosy Class A student.

He was so paralyzed by fear, that he couldn’t move or emit the slightest squeak as all his breath left him the moment he gasped.

The brown haired girl snatched it away and began to read it, then her eyes burst wide open and she said, “Oh my god… This is so gross!!”

“Why? What is??” the Class A lancer asked.

The girl was laughing and slapping her knee, but was able to say, “This boy… and the girl in this letter that he’s confessing to… are siblings!!”

“WHAT?! Oh man, that’s disgusting!!” the blonde haired girl laughed.

By this time, their laughter had attracted some curious stares from the other academy students nearby. Sadly, this included Franca, Marion, Anisette and even Avan and Cosette.

Nichol was tearing at his hair and blushing bright red as the girl began to read only parts of the letter in a cheesy romantic voice;

“Dearest Franca

Blah Blah Blah, I cannot stop thinking about you, your beauty and all the things that draw me to you. Your beautiful brown hair that outshines the rays of the sun on a warm, summers day. The delicate softness of your touch as you caress my cheek with your long, slender fingers that I dream of holding in my own hands, one day. Yada Yada Yada.

I’ve worked hard to become the right man for you. Just as I said I would. I hope that by saying these words, it’ll prove once and for all that I am that man. My Dearest Franca… I love you. With all my heart and Soul. If you’ll have me, I’ll watch over you forever and love you till the day I die. So on, so on and so forth.” The girl continued with her cheesy voice.

Meanwhile, all around, there were many, many gasps. Students standing with wide open eyes and with mouths dropped open. Others were laughing hysterically as they listened to a brother, confess his love to his very own sister.

Anisette and Marion were just about to ask Franca what was going on, but she had already dropped her orange popsicle and was stomping over to the group that were harassing her brother.

“Stop it! Leave him alone!” She shouted.

“This is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard! It’s disgraceful that something like this could ever happen on the Lanseal academy grounds! A place of such distinguished reputation and honour!” The blonde shot back.

“Yeah, right. I know my brother, he would never do something like this!” Franca reasoned, “It has to be some kind of sick joke you class A jerks are playing, for losing the Laevatein cup to Class G, fair and square!”

“Don’t believe us… read it yourself.” the brown haired girl from Class A said as she held the note out to Franca.

Franca crossed her arms, “I don’t need to read it! Because I know it’s not true… right, Nichol. It’s cruel joke or prank being played on us… right?”

Nichol couldn’t answer, so he just lowered his head to break the strong gaze that Franca was giving him.

Franca gasped, then snatched the letter from the class a girl and quickly read it. Once, then twice, then a third time as more and more students were crowding around. A few faculty staff members had also gather around to see what was going on, including Professor Brixham.

Finally Franca lowered the letter and began to shake her head briskly, while saying, “No… No! This can’t be true! Tell me it‘s not true, Nichol!!” Franca said as she glared at her brother.

Nichol still wasn’t looking up at Franca. Furious, she tore the letter up multiple times and threw the pieces high into the air and stomped towards Nichol and picked him up off the ground and began to shake him.

“Tell me it’s not true! Tell me it‘s not true!!” Franca screamed less than two inches from Nichol’s face. When he didn’t respond again, she slapped him hard across the cheek. Sending out a wave of gasps from the nearby students and faculty members.

“SAY IT!” she ordered as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Nichol’s cheek had a bright red mark from the hit, his head still held low, then he spoke: “It’s true… Franca. It really is how I feel about you… I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

Franca then slapped him on the other cheek and began to pound her balled up fist against his chest and shoulder, “Don’t you dare say that!! How could you even think that! We’re brother and sister, you and I!”

“No, we’re not!” Nichol finally shout back, “Not in the way you think. We’re not related by blood, Franca. So it’s alright for me to feel this way about you.”

Franca stopped the moment she heard this bit of news, about not being blood related brother and sister.

But they were interrupted by the same Class A guys and girls, now mocking them as they puckered their lips, kissed the air and began to chant, “Nichol and Franca, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N--”

Unexpectedly, Franca released Nichol, spun around and her fist connected to the brown haired girls jaw, sending her to the ground in the blink of an eye.

Franca was breathing heavily as she looked down at the girl. She was holding her jaw, moaning and was starting to sit up.

“Learn some respect!” Franca screamed, then turned to everyone who was gathered around her. She glared at everyone who had stopped and stared. But did nothing to stop the teasing. She shook her head and then said, “You should all be ashamed…”

Professor Brixham then stepped forward while shaking his head, “And so should you, Miss Franca,” he said, “You know that any form of violence against another student it strictly prohibited by school policy. Especially when we are in the middle of a civil war. We cannot afford to start fighting each other on academy grounds when this is supposed to be our sanctuary from battle, as well as our home.

And I cannot let this slide, regardless if they started it with the teasing, you threw the first punch. That, combined with hitting your brother repeatedly, means that I’m forced to place you under arrest and send you to the old buildings holding cells. You’re to be placed into solitary confinement for the rest of the day.”

“It’s the law of the Academy, it must be enforced. Even on such an important Gallian holiday such as this.” Brixham pointed out. “Shall I call for an escort?”

Franca sighed, “No… I’ll go peacefully…”

“Very well then.”

Franca then turned to Nichol, and just as two tear drops fell from her eyes, she said, “I’ll never forgive you for this… Nichol. Nor shall I ever forget it… You ruined the one day that all Gallian’s cherish and look forward to… and you broke my heart…”

Franca then turned and began to walk towards the old building, to serve her sentence and miss out on the rest of the festival and other events planned for that day.

Meanwhile, Avan was walking towards Nichol, “Hey… sorry it all went down like that, I really am.”

“Avan, I… I’m sorry… I need to be alone right now…” Nichol said as he turned and ran towards the academy, seeking refugee at the one place where there was certain to be no one else… the rooftop.

That was good, really good.

Spoiler for Suggestions:

The ending part, however, I feel doesn't quite work, with Franca saying those things to Nichol. The festival, at that moment, should be the least on her mind. Modify it so that, as she's leaving, Franca tells Nichol that when she gets back, they're going to have a LONG talk about his feelings toward her.

Also, maybe try to get in a few more lines from some other Class G cadets, though they shouldn't be harassing Nichol or Franca over the issue; they'd just be voicing their surprise.